IT was supposed to be a rallying cry, a call for unity ahead of a double header of games against Crawley Town that could define Wrexham’s campaign.

Instead, the owners’ ill-judged and ill-timed 15-point lecture on how to support the club has created new wounds, divisions that threaten to spill over on the stands in tonight’s home clash.

It says much about Wrexham’s recent history that on the eve of their biggest match of the season all the talk was of off-field matters.

But while Dean Saunders’ side will get an immediate opportunity to bounce back from Saturday’s controversial defeat at Crawley, his employers are unlikely to recover from their spectacular own goal any time soon.

The fragile relationship between Geoff Moss and Ian Roberts and the Racecourse faithful has been seemingly broken beyond repair.

Even if some of the points made in Friday’s statement were valid, the language and condescending tone has enraged the most moderate of supporter.

And crucially, it broke the golden rule in football: you don’t criticise the fans, nor tell them how to express their support.

Regardless of who owns the shares or holds the keys to the ground, the club belongs to them. They are more than customers. They were there long before this regime, and will be there long after they are gone.

Admittedly, a great deal of the personal abuse directed at Moss, his co-owners and their families has been unacceptable and they deserve better.

But if you don’t have a thick skin to go with the sheep skin coat, you shouldn’t be running a football side. Sometimes you have to be the bigger man.

Some Wrexham fans may have overstepped the line but they learned the hard way during the disastrous Alex Hamilton era that they can’t inherently trust the men running the club.

But for their efforts there would be no Wrexham FC and no Racecourse.

Supporters cannot be expected to sit back while a man like Stephen Vaughan attempts a takeover.

That this board even entertained discussions with Vaughan and the Van Morton group is worrying.

Yes, the shareholders may want out - and quickly - but they still have a responsibility to find suitable custodians.

Running a football club is a thankless task and many supporters will not appreciate the personal expense it involves.

It doesn’t make decisions like the attempt to divorce the Racecourse from the football club any easier to swallow, though.

It might make good business sense, but symbolically it’s unacceptable that Wrexham FC should pay rent for use of the Racecourse. The historic ground is Wrexham FC and vice versa.

One thing this board have undoubtedly got right, however, is their unwavering backing of Saunders.

The former Liverpool, Wales and Aston Villa striker has justified the time and money afforded him by forging a team that can challenge for promotion.

Saunders was a major coup for the club and has sacrificed a great deal to restore Wrexham’s Football League status. Had he not taken the job in October 2008, it’s a fair bet he would now be in charge of a Championship side - or his country.

Those who called for his head last season have thankfully been proven wrong and would hopefully admit as much.

But the smug language in point number 14 of the on-line statement, which calls for the fans who "urged us to sack Dean Saunders" to eat "humble pie", does the owners’ case no favours.

They should not forget that Wrexham only sit in the Conference because they sacked Denis Smith in 2007.

Before swinging the axe on Smith, not even the most pessimistic fan would have worried about relegation.

It ranks among the very worst decisions ever taken by the club and is the genesis of every problem now facing Wrexham.

Smith was treated poorly considering his loyalty and guiding hand through the 18 months of administration.

Had he been shown the same support Saunders has, the chances are Wrexham would now be playing League One football.

If the talented and spirited side Saunders has assembled are to taste League football in the near future, however, he will need the backing of everyone at the Racecourse.

Disgruntled supporters will understandably want to air their grievances in tonight’s clash - and regardless of the banner ban they have the right to.

But it can’t be allowed to distract from the efforts on the pitch. Before kick-off and after the final whistle is the time for protests.

During the 90 minutes, the home crowd should focus their collective energy on inspiring the team to a crucial victory.